From time to time, it happens in ones life that one finds himself in desperate need of Motivational Songs. You might get depressed and discouraged for no particular reason. Or you might have a very solid reason for falling down: someone dies, someone leaves you, you get fired, you get sick so on and so forth. But, what is of vital importance is your state of mind. You cannot afford to be depressed, to spend day after day wearing pajamas and moping around the house. These next songs should be able to pick you up and drag you back into a positive state of mind no matter what your trouble is.

1.    Born in the U.S.A. from Bruce Springsteen has that rhythm that gets under your skin and sobers you up instantly. It is indeed a powerful vibe that had crowds jumping and screaming during Springsteen concerts not to mention his rugged voice and dynamic presence. It is of no particular relevance that you are not in fact an American or born in the actual United States. Anybody who feels he belongs can sing along to this anthem.

2.    Don’t give up from Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel. This is one of those motivational songs aimed at your heart; it wants to heal your soul. Definitely a melancholic ballad, it finds strength in its reassuring lyrics. Also, you will be surprised how those two iconic voices blend together for the most amazing effect.

3.    So alive by Ryan Adams. This is not a conventional choice for a list of Motivational Songs. However, when I was a teenager I used to get car sick a lot. Nothing could help me. Except this song. If I played it enough in my head I honestly felt like I had some sort of anchor. This is basically the only “right” criteria for picking a motivational song: if it genuinely sustains you during your hour of need.

4.    Don’t stop believing by Journey. A song that is the most universal powerhouse rock song ever devised. It speaks to the many, to the confused, young lost souls that are in pursuit of their dream. Of course you can make numerous jokes about it (Family Guy sure did), but it doesn’t change the fact that on a primordial level you respond to it. So when you are weak, when you have lost all your patience, your goodwill and your humor this song will deliver you safely back home.

5.    Sometimes you can’t make it on your own by U2. I wonder how many articles have been started with these words “Legendary Irish band U2…”. So, majorly prolific Irish band U2 has plenty of marvelous songs to their name, but this is the one that will strike a chord if you are in a blue mood. It is a song Bono wrote for his dying father, trying to transmit all those things too hard to put into words. Its power is to release you of any unspoken heartaches and memories you have bottled up.

6.    Fighter by Christina Aguilera. I didn’t think I would put Christina Aguilera on any list of mine, least of all on the Motivational Songs list, but she earned it fair and square. This song will shatter your eardrums, but leave you in a state of righteous rage, ready to pick up where you left of and rearrange your life. It is empowerment for women at its best so get ready for this raw female force of nature.

7.    We are the champions by Queen. “We are the champions, my friend/we’ll keep on fighting till the end” says the chorus of the most popular victory melody ever written. This song is practically synonymous with being a winner, conquering milestones and surpassing your own limits. You play it on your graduation day; you play it if you’ve managed to survive running a marathon. But you should also play it when you’re feeling low and disoriented. You should listen to the certainty of Freddie Mercury’s voice and be inspired by probably the best performer of all time. His energy, his determination to live and enjoy life should alone lift you up from your chair and infuse you with energy.

So these are 7 of the Motivational Songs that keep me going when things get especially rough. But as in everything else, what works for me may or may not work for you as well. So try to find your own motivational songs, capable of inspiring you to do good for yourself and others. Those songs that bring out what’s best in you: your smile, your positivity and your humor.